29 Oct, 2008
A West Hollywood Halloween display showing a likeness of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin hanging by a noose has caused a furor among some residents who reported it as a hate crime, authorities said Monday.
But
(Story excerpt from The Denver Post).
The display always has Senator John McCain coming out of the chimney on fire. Politics aside - does anyone else have a problem with this?
West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang brought a little sanity to the situation with this quote on Laist.com:
"I respect that we all have the right to freedom of speech," began Prang. "However, with that right comes responsibility. While these residents have the legal right to the display of Senator McCain and Governor Palin, I strongly oppose political speech that references violence - real or perceived. Politics in America has become extremely polarized in recent years and we all have a responsibility to focus on our political differences in a thoughtful, and peaceful manner. I urge these residents to take down their display and find more constructive ways to express their opinion."
Thank you Mr. Mayor!
How About a Little RESPECT?!
1 Peter 2:13-17 (New Living Translation)
13 For the Lord's sake, accept all authority - the king as head of state, 14 and the officals he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish all who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 15 It is God's will that your good lives should silence those who make foolish accusations against. you. 16 You are not slaves; you are free. But your freedom is not an excuse to do evil. You are free to live as God's slaves. 17 Show respect for everyone. Love your Christia brothers and sisters. Fear God. Show respect for the king.
God's desires are pretty clear here:
- We accept and respect all authority "for the Lord's sake." God wants us to love each other so much that disrespecting someone is disrespecting Him! Even if we differ with someone politically or otherwise, as the Mayor points out, we have the responsibility to find a peaceful way to express our differences. When we do that, we do it "for the Lord's sake" because we do what He would do. The Mesage says, "Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens."
- Our freedom ends when we use it as "an excuse to do evil." Bottom line - when evil, wrong, mean, rude, crude things are done - we all lose!
- God expects us to respect everyone. He made them, loves them and wants them to follow him.
We are free, but we are "free to live as God's slaves." God will never force us to treat people with respect. But we are free to choose to be 100% committed to what He asks us to do as His follower. And He asks us to "respect everyone."
- "Do for others what you would like them to do for you" (Matthew 7:12, NLT).
- "Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible" (Romans 12:18, NLT).
- "Try to live at peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life..." (Hebrews 12:14, NLT).
Verse 15 talks about the effect of our love and respect for others. It says, "Your good lives should silence those who make false accusations against you."
When we treat people with respect, it is much harder for them to talk badly about us, or the Jesus we follow. My freedom to hold back that nasty comment, or to make that thoughtful compliment will certainly silence those who want to attack us. It may even get their attention enough to make them wonder why they aren't as nice!
Maybe you can't change the world. But you can change YOU! How about a little RESPECT out there!
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